Aptasia eating filefish pairing?

aurora.k · Apr 7, 2018

Hi,

I’m new to the hobby still but love it. I have a male aptasia eating filefish and I am going to upgrade to a 50-75 gallon tank. He is the best with the ridiculous way he swims and his eagerness to be fed (he swims up to the baster). Wondering if I were to add a female at the time of the upgrade what is the chance they will pair up vs hate each other? Are fish / filefish picky in pairing?

I know folks might not have experience with this exact issue, but interested in any similar experience.

Dr. Reef · Apr 7, 2018

they can pair in tanks. you will have to make sure you get a male and female otherwise they will fight.

aurora.k · Apr 7, 2018

Dr. Reef said:
they can pair in tanks. you will have to make sure you get a male and female otherwise they will fight.

Thanks! I will try, they are supposedly easy to sex so I should be ok. If I make a mistake and they fight, I will re-home one.

norfolkgarden · Apr 7, 2018

aurora.k said:
Thanks! I will try, they are supposedly easy to sex so I should be ok. If I make a mistake and they fight, I will re-home one.

How do you tell them apart?

Dr. Reef · Apr 8, 2018

LiveAquaria:
These fish have been known to spawn in captivity, and males are normally larger than the females. These fish are easily sexed with males having fine bristle-like hairs on each side of their body down the caudal peduncle or base of the tail.